Genesis 46:32

Genesis 46:32, in plain English

Joseph is explaining to Pharaoh that his brothers and father are shepherds—they raise livestock and have brought their flocks and herds with them. He's being straightforward about who they are and what they do.

Why it's here

In Egyptian culture, shepherds were looked down on—they were considered a lower class. Joseph knows this. By being upfront about what his family does, he's laying out the reality before Pharaoh can judge them for it. It's a smart move because transparency often wins more favor than hiding something embarrassing.

Who's speaking

Joseph is explaining his family's occupation to Pharaoh (via the narrator).

Where it sits in the story

Joseph's openness here is part of his character. He doesn't try to make his family into something they're not. He trusts that Pharaoh respects him enough to accept his family as they are. And he's right—Pharaoh, who owes much of Egypt's prosperity to Joseph's wisdom, agrees to let them settle in Goshen.

The scholarly reading

Joseph specifies to Pharaoh that his family are shepherds with livestock herds—straightforward identity claim that establishes their professional competence while preparing Pharaoh for their pastoral nature.

Language and setting

The characterization as רֹעֵי צֹאן (rōʿē ṣōʾn), 'shepherds of sheep,' and the notation that they have brought flocks and herds (וַגַּם־אֶת־מִקְנֵיהֶם וְאֶת־בְהֶמְתָּם, wagam-ʾet-miqnēhem weʾet-behemtām) establishes professional identity while signaling economic self-sufficiency. In the New Kingdom Egyptian context, pastoral peoples were often viewed with suspicion, yet Joseph's straightforward presentation avoids deception. The explicit mention of 'all that they own' (כָּל־אֲשֶׁר־לָהֶם, kāl-ʾăšer-lāhem) grounds his family's identity in tangible economic reality rather than claims of nobility or military skill.

Voice

Joseph, reporting to Pharaoh regarding his family's occupational and economic status.

Significance

This verse establishes that Israel entered Egypt not as suppliants or military threat but as economically productive pastoral peoples—a status that will remain secure until a new dynasty arises 'who knew not Joseph' (Exodus 1:8) and views this productive but foreign population as potential threat rather than asset.

30Then Israel said to Joseph, “Finally I can die, now that I have seen your face and know that you are still alive!”

31Joseph said to his brothers and to his father’s household, “I will go up and inform Pharaoh: ‘My brothers and my father’s household from the land of Canaan have come to me.

32The men are shepherds; they raise livestock, and they have brought their flocks and herds and all that they own.’

33When Pharaoh summons you and asks, ‘What is your occupation?’

34you are to say, ‘Your servants have raised livestock ever since our youth—both we and our fathers.’ Then you will be allowed to settle in the land of Goshen, since all shepherds are detestable to the Egyptians.”

Read all of Genesis 46 — Jacob takes the whole family to Egypt. A temporary stay that will last four hundred years.